The Swans have made their first 6-1 start to a season in nearly 20 years, but it took a half-time blast from coach John Longmire to stun them into action against a competitive Essendon at the SCG.
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Not every victory can be a work of art, but if Sydney felt they were below par in their three-point win in Brisbane last round, it's unlikely they would feel much better with their scrappy first half return in the eventual 81-point triumph over the battling Bombers.
The partnership between Isaac Heeney and Lance Franklin in the front third was a feature. Franklin was at his menacing best on his way to six goals, Heeney took some cracking contested marks and nabbed five majors, and the pair linked exceptionally well. But instead of team synergy propelling the Swans, their ascendancy for much of the game, particularly early, came down to pieces of individual brilliance. The lopsided scoreboard at full time betrayed a contest in which Sydney were well below their best for much of the match.
"That first half our contested ball and our uncontested footy wasn't great," Heeney said.
"I think they had more possessions than us in the first half. They definitely cracked in. But we know the footy we can play can beat most sides in the comp. We have confidence in each other. And it definitely flowed on after a bit of a ribbing from Horse [Longmire] at half-time."
The Swans' 7.10.52 to 5.5.35 lead at the main break was indicative not only of their struggles with themselves, but also with a willing Bombers outfit that, despite losing Jonathan Simpkin early in the match to a hamstring problem, showed desire through their intensity around the contests and defensive pressure. When David Zaharakis scored his second goal, in the ninth minute of the third term, they were only 15 points off a lead they had held for brief periods in both the opening and second quarters.
However, the gulf in class and experience between the sides told as the match neared its conclusion and, finally, the 29,527-strong home crowd relax as Sydney streaked away with the game, piling on 11 of the last 12 goals.
"Our intensity and the way we played the game in the first half was just about as good as we've played all year," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.
"That was really promising. The guys were upbeat at half time and ready for the contest. However, Sydney to their credit took away any opportunity we had to continue to play that way."
Josh Kennedy was outstanding with 40 disposals and a season high 11 clearances, while Tom Papley scored two goals and made seven tackles. Dan Robinson was out of the game early with a shoulder dislocation. For Essendon, Zaharakis, James Kelly and Brendon Goddard topped the possessions, while Zach Merrett made a game-high nine tackles.
"I thought our defensive efforts in the first half probably weren't where we needed," Swans coach John Longmire said.
"They were getting a few uncontested marks and once we really started to work together in that aspect we were able to get on top in the second half.
"We didn't have a lot of good players in that first half, probably apart from Isaac. In the second half we had plenty of good players, everyone jumped on board, which was great."
